Category Archives: Immigration

For information about immigration and visas.

Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa – summer deadline

Are you an international student and interested in being self-employed in the UK after you graduate?

If you are interested in setting up your own business, you can apply to be considered for endorsement by Sheffield Hallam University. This endorsement is necessary in order to apply for a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa.

Our application process begins on 15 June. You must first attend an information session at 3.30pm in the Careers and Employability Centre during which we will explain all about the application process and the support we provide. We will have a graduate who is self-employed under Tier 1 GE who will be there to speak about her experiences and answer any questions that you may have.

Sheffield Hallam University has limited places, and the process is competitive. We will select only the strongest business applications.

Please visit Career Hub to find out more about the session.

Tier 4 visa application fees increasing on 18th March 2016

On 18 March 2016 visa application fees are set to increase.

The full list of proposed new fees can be found here.

These are the ones that will directly affect you if you need to extend your visa, or replace your BRP:

  • Tier 4 visa extension (including dependants) will increase to  £448
  • BRP Replacement will increase to £56

Please speak to the International Experience Team if you have further questions

Visa application fees

On 6 April 2016 visa application fees are set to increase.

The full list of proposed new fees can be found here.

These are the ones that will directly affect you if you need to extend your visa, or replace your BRP:

  • Tier 4 visa extension (including dependants) is likely to increase to  £448
  • BRP Replacement is likely to increase to £56

We will keep you updated on when the changes are confirmed.

Want to work in the UK after your studies?

Would you like some visa advice? If yes, then book a place on our Working in the UK after studies workshop.

We will look at all the possible visa routes for international graduates into full time work including:

  • Tier 2 Scheme
  • Tier 1 graduate entrepreneur
  • Tier 5

The workshop will also focus on how to improve your employability and how you can make the most out of your time at Sheffield Hallam University. We will explain the visa rules and how to maximise your chances of success.

The next workshops will take place in the Careers and Employability Centre (unless otherwise stated):

Follow a link above to book onto the session.

Right to Rent Checks

Are you living in privately rented accommodation?

If so then you need to be aware that from 1st February 2016 onwards, landlords of private rental accommodation will be responsible for carrying out ‘right to rent’ checks to ensure that their tenants have the right to reside in the UK. The requirement to carry out right to rent checks applies to all adults (aged 18 and over).

Therefore all students living in private rented accommodation will need to present their original passport, or a combination of acceptable documents to prove they have the right to reside in the UK for the duration of their tenancy agreement.

International students will also have to present their visa and biometric residence permit (see List B).

Landlords are required to keep copies of the documents they check.

This will not affect students living in halls of residence as they are not subject to right to rent checks.

If you have further questions about this you can speak to an International Experience Adviser in a daily drop in appointment.

International Student Registration – November 2015

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

“What documents do I need to bring to Registration?”

You will need to bring your passport, visa – including your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card – and your SHU Student card.

Please note these must be your original documents – photocopies or electronic copies will not be accepted.

Some students may be asked to bring additional documents to Registration – if this applies to you, it will be clearly stated in your invitation email, so please read your invitation email carefully.

“I don’t have my passport and/or my visa / BRP card – what should I do?”

If you do not currently have your documents for any reason, please bring evidence of where the documents are being held.

For example, if you have sent your documents to UKVI to apply for a visa extension, please bring evidence of postage, or a letter of response from UKVI as evidence of your application.

If you have recently applied for a Shengen visa or any other type of visa, please bring evidence. For example, a letter acknowledging your application, evidence of postage such as a postal receipt, or other evidence of your application.

If your documents are held by the Police or any other agency, please bring a receipt or other documentation to evidence this, e.g. a letter of receipt from the Police/other agency.

“I have lost my passport / visa / BRP card – what should I do?”

If you have already made an application for a replacement, please bring evidence of your application to Registration.

If not, you must contact SHU International Experience Team (IET) urgently for guidance on how to apply for a replacement passport or visa, or BRP card.

If IET are assisting you with your replacement application, please bring evidence of this to Registration, e.g. IET Appointment Card or printout of emails from IET.

“I can’t attend Registration! What should I do?”

Please note that all current Tier 4 students must attend Registration unless they are in one of the following situations:

  • You are currently absent from study, or will be absent during the Registration period. This may be due to illness or other circumstances;
  • You are currently studying away from Sheffield, for example if you are conducting research at a location outside Sheffield;
  • You are in your home country completing your remaining studies, for example, writing up your Dissertation;
  • You have returned to your home country / have left Sheffield, because you have recently completed all of your required studies or;
  • You are absent for any other reason.

If any of the above applies to you, you must contact your Faculty to request an Authorised Absence – please see below for instructions on how to do this.

“How do I request an Authorised Absence if I can’t attend Registration?”

If you are an undergraduate or postgraduate student, or studying an English Language/TESOL course you must urgently contact your Faculty in person or by email, who will advise you.

If you are a PhD/doctoral research student, you must urgently contact your Faculty Research Administrator Office to request an Authorised Absence. Your Research Administrator will advise you.

“I am currently on Placement – what should I do?”

Please reply urgently to tier4registration@shu.ac.uk with your Student ID number and details of your Placement, including the date you began your Placement, the full name and address of your Placement employer, and the date your Placement ends.

We will then review your response and advise you.

“I am living outside of Sheffield and it will be difficult for me to attend Registration – what should I do?”

You must urgently respond to tier4registration@shu.ac.uk with full details. Please include your Student ID number and Course Title in your response. We will then advise you.

“I have recently changed my immigration status / visa type and no longer require a Tier 4 (General) student visa – what should I do?”

Please reply urgently to tier4registration@shu.ac.uk with details of your new immigration status / visa type. If possible, please attach electronic copies of your new visa documents – i.e. your visa ‘vignette’ and BRP card if you have one – to your email. Please include your Student ID number and Course Title in your response.

“I am a UK or EU student and believe I have been invited to Registration by mistake – what should I do?”

Please reply urgently to tier4registration@shu.ac.uk with details. If possible please attach a scanned, electronic copy of your UK/EU passport to your email. Please include your Student ID number in your response.

“I have other questions about Registration.”

If you have any other queries, please email tier4registration@shu.ac.uk, including your Student ID number and Course title in your email.

Increase in Maintenance Funds

Important Notice – the established presence concession is being withdrawn from 12 November 2015.

ALL students will need to show £1,015 per month for living expenses (£680 per month for dependants) up to a maximum of 9 months = £9,135 (£6,120 for dependants).

This amount is required to be held in your account for 28 days prior to making a visa extension application.

Want to work in the UK after your studies?

Would you like some visa advice?
If yes, then book a place on our Working in the UK after studies workshop.

We will look at all the possible visa routes for international graduates into full time work including:

• Tier 2 Scheme
• Tier 1 graduate entrepreneur
• Tier 5

The workshop will also focus on how to improve your employability and how you can make the most out of your time at Sheffield Hallam University. We will explain the visa rules and how to maximise your chances of success.

The next workshops will take place in the Careers and Employability Centre (unless otherwise stated):

Follow a link above to book onto the session.

Is your visa due to expire?

If you do not book a one-to-one appointment to see an immigration adviser at least 2 weeks before your visa is due to expire, then we may not be able to assist you with your application and you will have to send your documents off yourself.

You must attend a group session before you can book a one-to-one appointment.

It is important that you attend a group session at least 2 months before your visa is due to expire. You will be unable to get a CAS application form if you have not attended a group session.

The next group sessions will be taking place as follows:

 

November
Thursday 26 – 2.00pm – 3.30pm

December

Tuesday 1 – 10.00am – 11.30am
Tuesday 8 – 10.00am – 11.30am
Tuesday 15 – 10.00am – 11.30am

Want to work in the UK after your studies?

Would you like some visa advice?
If yes, then book a place on our Working in the UK after studies workshop.

We will look at all the possible visa routes for international graduates into full time work including:

• Tier 2 Scheme
• Tier 1 graduate entrepreneur
• Tier 5

The workshop will also focus on how to improve your employability and how you can make the most out of your time at Sheffield Hallam University. We will explain the visa rules and how to maximise your chances of success.

The next workshops will take place in the Careers and Employability Centre (unless otherwise stated):

Follow a link above to book onto the session.